"First Published in 2017. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an Informa company."

Clearly laid out and fully illustrated, this is the only comprehensive book on the subject at an introductory level. Perfect as a practical reference book for professional and students who work with excavated materials, and as an introduction for those training as archaeological conservators.

Describes the metallography and microstructure of ancient metals with several case studies included. The first volume in this series is devoted to the alloys of copper with silver, lead, tin, zinc, antimony and arsenic.

Later prehistoric settlement in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly reports on the excavation between 1996 and 2014 of five later prehistoric and Roman period settlements. All the sites were multi-phased, revealing similar and contrasting occupational patterns stretching from the Bronze Age into the Iron Age and beyond.

Humankind is believed to have existed in Africa for over 6 million years, based on the dating of excavated fossils. Transformations took place over time in response to severe climate changes and the Modern Human, believed to be the first to spread beyond Africa evolved only about 2 million years ago and did not move to other parts of the world until about 200,000 years ago. What is now known about ancient human history came from several sources: paleontologists excavate and evaluate human and article fossils dating back 2-3 million years; archaeologists excavate ancient sites and study recovered articles, mostly dating back 40-60,000 years; historians study oral and recorded history but the scope is limited to about 3,000 years when writing was invented. Archaeometallurgy evolved in the second half of the last century and has become a major tool for the study of ancient metals, metalworking structures, tools, waste products and finished artifacts, using techniques from the physical sciences. While this does not in anyway distract from the traditional approach of other archaeo-scientists, it is a very valuable complement, since it provides in-depth information about ore and slag composition, furnace design, macro and micro analysis of objects, all of which give vital information about the probable production techniques. Materials have played a central role throughout human history, starting with stone, flint, wood, straw, and transitioning to metals around ten to twelve thousand years ago. In fact the major stages of historical evolution are delineated by the materials that were in prominent use: Stone Age; Bronze Age; Iron Age, etc. If Africa is indeed the cradle of humankind, then it should have a very rich archaeo-history but most of the discoveries so far have been accidental. This book presents the results of a comprehensive study of the rich early archeometallurgical history of Nigeria which dates back to around 800 BC, in the context of early world metallurgy. Issues treated include probable socio/ethno cultural settings, practices in the context of early world metal cultures, provenance of technologies, and local technological innovations.

In the first major work on the subject for over 30 years, Nancy Edwards provides a critical survey of the archaeological evidence in Ireland (c. 400-1200), introducing material from many recently discovered sites as well as reassessing the importance of earlier excavations. Beginning with an assessment of Roman influence, Dr Edwards then discusses the themse of settlement, food and farming, craft and technology, the church and art, concluding with an appraisal of the Viking impact. The archaeological evidence for the period is also particularly rich and wide-ranging and our knowledge is expanding repidly in the light of modern techniques of survey and excavation.

This fully revised fourth edition maintains the qualities of the earlier editions whilst taking into account the significant developments that have moulded the discipline in recent years.

The destruction and deposition of metalwork is a widely recognised phenomenon across Bronze Age Europe. Weapons were decommissioned and thrown into rivers; axes were fragmented and piled in hoards; and ornaments were crushed, contorted and placed in certain landscapes. Interpretation of this material is often considered in terms of whether such acts should be considered ritual offerings, or functional acts for storing, scrapping and recycling the metal. This book approaches this debate from a fresh perspective, by focusing on how the metalwork was destroyed and deposited as a means to understand the reasons behind the process. To achieve this, this study draws on experimental archaeology, as well as developing a framework for assessing what can be considered deliberate destruction. Understanding these processes not only helps us to recognise how destruction happened, but also gives us insights into the individuals involved in these practices. Through an examination of metalwork from south-west Britain, it is possible to observe the complexities involved at a localised level in the acts of destruction and deposition, as well as how they were linked to people and places. This case study is used to consider the social role of destruction and deposition more broadly in the Bronze Age, highlighting how it transformed over time and space.